Maintaining NH’s Waterways
Summary of the Economic Impact of the NH Port Study
New Hampshire has more water access than people may realize. Our ports, harbors and navigable tidal rivers offer recreational, commercial and industrial access for residents, visitors, fisheries, pleasure fishermen and boat owners. The Division of Ports and Harbors maintains and develops these waterways to help support and grow commerce and freight shipments through the state’s ports, including on the Piscataqua River and Portsmouth Harbor. We also aid in the development of salt water fisheries and related industries.
DPH ADMINISTRATIVE RULESManaged Waterways
- 1 Sprague Energy River Road
- 2 Sprague Energy Avery Lane
- 3 Shaftmaster Fisheries Little Bay Lobster
- 4 Simplex Wire & Cable
- 5 Public Service Co. of NH Schiller Station
- 6 National Gypsum and Irving Oil
- 7 Port of NH Div. of Port & HR Market St. Terminal
- 8 Isles of Shoals Steamship Co. and NE Charter Boats
- 9 Granite State Minerals
- 10 State Fish Pier
- 11 Portsmouth Naval Shipyard
- 12 US Coast Guard Ports. Harbor Station
- 13 Pilot Station
- 14 Rye Harbor
- 15 Hampton Harbor
Market Street Marine Terminal
The terminal to the Piscataqua River on Market Street in Portsmouth offers public access and general cargo handling capabilities.
Key Features
- 8 acres of paved access outside lay down area
- 20,000 sq. ft. of covered warehouse
- Onsite rail access
- 600-foot berth, 35 ft/MLW
- .5 miles from Interstate 95
- 2 miles from Pease International Tradeport
- 3 NM from open sea
- Fresh water
Cargo handling capabilities
- Bulk cargo (scrap, salt, wood chips)
- Break bulk (industrial and machinery parts, construction materials)
- Project cargo (power plant components, vacuum tanks)
- Container cargo
Bunkers Available Through Permitted Vendors
Contact the DPH at (603) 436-8500 for listings.
Contact Rye Harbor at (603) 319-8246
Contact Hampton Harbor at (603) 929-0347
Terminal Charges
Pilot & Pilotage
We oversee administrative rules for port captains, pilots and pilotage in the Portsmouth Harbor and Piscataqua River. Portsmouth Pilots: (603) 436-1209 Moran Towing: (603) 436-0556
Pilot Rates 2023 pda 300 Pilot and Pilotage Rules Jump To TopMoorings
The Division of Ports and Harbors is responsible for more than 1,500 moorings in 29 mooring fields. Mooring permits are assigned through an application process pursuant to Administrative Rules Pda 500. There are several types of moorings available. Mooring permit waitlist applications are available for areas that do not have existing mooring locations available. Mooring permits are valid from April 1 to March 31 and must be reapplied for by March 1st of each year. Required documents and appropriate fees are required to be submitted with any permit application. A copy of the permit holders valid boat registration or other proof of boat ownership is required, click here to view the NH Boat Registration requirements.
Please note there is a choice between “inland” or “tidal” use when registering your boat, fees from boats registered as “tidal” directly assist with funding safety and navigation measures for the waterways managed by the Division. Please contact the Division office at 603-436-8500 for further information.
Pda 500 Moorings and Anchorages
Mooring Notices:
Recreation
The public is welcome to visit the Hampton and Rye Harbor Marine Facilities where there are numerous opportunities for various recreational activities such as whale watching, charter fishing, kayaking, and parasailing. Fresh lobster sales and food concessions are also available.
Charter and Party Fishing Boats
CHARTER BOAT CLOSURE EXTEDED TO MAY 15TH
Enjoy a chartered excursion along some of New Hampshire’s most picturesque coastal areas! The Division provides access to several party and charter fishing boats for half- and full-day excursions through its Hampton and Rye Harbor Marine Facilities. Vessels range from 6 passenger boats (6 packs) to 150 passenger vessels and are chartered for striper, bluefish, cod or bluefin tuna fishing, scuba diving excursions to the Isles of Shoals or scallop beds, whale watching and lobster trap-hauling demonstrations, and many other activities.
Whale Watching
Catch some amazing sights on a whale watching trip. Some passenger vessels offer these great experiences out of the Hampton and Rye Harbor Marinas.
Ferry Boats
The Isles of Shoals is a group of islands located approximately seven miles off the coast of New Hampshire. Sightsee around the Shoals or visit Star Island, home to a hotel and conference center, by way of one of the Seacoast’s ferry boat tours.
Isles of Shoals
Cruise Ships
Make Portsmouth the destination for your cruise ship! The Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce is happy to provide information to guide your trip.
Get In Touch
Commercial Fishing
Commercial fishing from state-owned piers and facilities falls under the jurisdiction of the Division of Ports and Harbors. We maintain jurisdiction over the state-owned commercial fishing piers and facilities at Portsmouth, Rye Harbor and Hampton Harbor. Berths and slips are only available at Portsmouth; no long-term or overnight berthing is available at Rye or Hampton harbors due to physical limitations. Commercial fishermen wishing to use the facilities must obtain a “Pier Use” permit. Bulk fuel is available through permitted vendors; contact us for a list of these vendors. Ice and chandlery are also available at Portsmouth. The Commercial Fisherman’s Revolving Loan Fund has funds available for loans to qualified commercial fishermen.
Notice of Public Hearing: PDA 600 Rules- State Owned Commercial Piers and Associated Facilities- May 10, 2023 @ 6:00 p.m. Revolving Loan Fund Process RLF Application Form Pda 700 Slip Permits Pda 600 Commercial Piers & Associated Facilities Affidavit for Commercial Vessel Registration Fuel Variance Bulletin Fuel Variance Request, Application Instructions & Forms Schedule of Fees for Commercial PiersContact us for more information at 603-436-8500
Foreign-Trade Zone
The Division of Ports and Harbors is the Grantee of Foreign-Trade Zone #81, which includes 5 sites and 2 subzones.
LEARN MORE VIEW THE FTZ BOARD
Contact
PDA 400 Harbor Master Rules555 Market Street,
Portsmouth, NH 03801
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
After hours contact number
(603)-436-8500
CONTACT RYE HARBOR
Judy Dubois
1870 Ocean Blvd
Rye NH 03870
(603) 319-8246 (office)
(603) 944-0902 (cell)
Mandy Huff
1870 Ocean Blvd
Rye NH 03870
(603) 319-8246 (office)
(603) 828-9676 (cell)
CONTACT HAMPTON HARBOR
Kevin Hanlon
1 Ocean Blvd.
Hampton NH 03842
(603) 929-0347 (office)
(603) 812-3452 (cell)
Chris Devine
1 Ocean Blvd.
Hampton NH 03842
(603) 929-0347 (office)
(603) 365-0507 (cell)
Port authority Contacts
Geno Marconi
Director of Ports and Harbors
(603) 436-8500
Grant Nichols
Assistant Director of Ports and Harbors
(603) 436-8500
Whit Anderson
Operations Manager
(603) 436-8500
Tracy Shattuck
Chief Harbor Master
(603) 365-0505
Chris Devine
Hampton Harbor Master
(603) 365-0507
Dick Delude
Little Bay, Cocheco, Bellamy, Oyster and Piscataqua River (above I-95 bridge) Harbor Master
(603) 235-7332
Mike Pike
Seabrook Harbor Master
(603) 365-6345
Leo Axtin
Rye Harbor Master, Gosport Harbor
(603) 365-0509
Mike Moreau
Great Bay, Lamprey, Exeter and Newfields Harbor Master
(603) 828-9354
Rodney McQuate
Portsmouth Harbor Master
(603)-231-6100 (Little Harbour and Sagamore Creek)
Del Record
Portsmouth Harbor Master
(603)-944-0569
Port advisory contacts
VACANT
Chairman
Bradley Cook
Vice Chairman
captbradatlanticfleet@comcast.net
Jeffrey Gilbert
Treasurer
Designee of the Commissioner of the Department of Resources and Economic Development
jeffartwork@yahoo.com
Erik Anderson
andy42152@aol.com
Mike Donahue
donahue.m.j@comcast.net
Fire Chief William McQuillen
Designee of the Mayor of Portsmouth
wjmcquillen@cityofportsmouth.com
Chris Holt
cholt@portsmouthpilots.com
Chris Snow
csnow@nhpta.com
Geno Marconi
Secretary
g.marconi@peasedev.org